12.3.13

If you're new here, you can read a little bit about our foster care journey {here}, {here}or {here}.

This little boy was taken into foster care when he was five. His first foster mom was Gwennie, a sweet lady who loved and nurtured him for the first six months.

Our family had been waiting for a call from our agency for over 7 months and when they asked us to care for Adam, it just felt right.

We knew that there was a chance he would leave and go live with a family member from another state, but it would take at least nine months to complete the paperwork required for him to move and whether he stayed nine months or nineteen years, we knew we could make a difference.

Early on, I knew this little boy was special. He was so resilient, so
teachable, so sweet, and so meant to be part of our family. He loved
our family and we loved him.

The first couple of months were uncertain and a little challenging, but with lots of love, consistency, and lots more love, this little boy flourished. For the first time in his life he had a dad and a brother, he had cousins, friends, neighbors, and a family who were all invested in his success.

For the next 18 months we went camping, to the beach, the zoo, fishing, and swimming. He had his own little job chart, learned to sleep in his bed all night, and learned about our Heavenly Father. We taught him how to eat without getting spaghetti in his hair and took him to primary every Sunday. In this time we also faced some of the biggest trials of our lives. We endured many, many legal battles with his biological family members, sleepless nights, overwhelming stress, but through it all, we knew Adam was worth it and that he would end up exactly where he was supposed to.

I can't even begin to tell you what kind of emotional roller coaster our family has been on for the past 22 months. I can tell you that this was the most challenging thing
I've ever been through. I can tell you it was so painful at times I wanted to go to sleep and not wake up until it was over.

Finally, on Febuary 4th, after many prayers and the support of so many friends and family, the Judge decided Adam's best interest was to remain with our family.

This little boy is officially part of our family!!!

I get to be his mom forever.

He has an older brother who has waited for him for 17 years.

and a family who will love him and do whatever it takes for his success and happiness.

I know for sure it is no coincidence that Adam is part of our family. I know that because of this experience, our family has grown closer in ways that we never could have. I know that sometimes life gets hard. Really hard. But these are the times that define who we are. I know there is a God in heaven, I know there's always something better waiting on the other side,

and I know I can't wait for the next chapter of my life, as the mother of two.

Thank you Jaci for these priceless photos. (follow her on Instagram @jacimariephotography) Between two boys who'd rather be eating brussel sprouts, one husband who'd conveniently thrown out his back, and a horse that had just been separated from her baby, when's the last time you had this much fun!

52 comments:

I've been following your blog for months now and never commented. This story is beautiful and touching and moved me. I've been a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for about 3 years now. I'm a child advocate for the court system fighting for the best interest of kids who have been removed from their homes due to neglect or abuse and put into the foster care system or placed with other family. The legal battles are hard and the time it takes to make decisions seems endless. What a wonderful, wonderful outcome for your family and for Adam's.

Ryan,Thanks so much for following our blog. It's nice to know that people besides our moms read:)I just recently found out what a CASA is and no, we didn't have one assigned to Adam's case. Thank you for the volunteer work you do for our precious foster kids. Keep up the great work!

Hey Nic! Thank you for your comment. It's actually Nino like Spanish:) My husband's step family is Spanish and while we were certified to foster but waiting for a placement, every day my older son would ask "When is the Nino coming?" and it just stuck.

congratulation to you and Adam...what an inspiring story! i remember you showing the room you fixed up for your little Nino and have often wondered what "the rest of the story" was. i'm sure you are both blessings to each other...and he is a doll!

What a lovely story and how lucky is Adam to be a part of such a wonderful family! You can tell through your words how much love there is within all of you -- especially for this special boy. How Sweet it is...

This was about the most beautiful blog posting I've ever read....you are one amazing family to take in foster children, and the end result of you wanting so badly to adopt Adam and fighting and being in this for life is one of the most heartwarming things ever!!!! He is so blessed to have you for his Mama forever and you are so blessed to have this amazing little man to nurture and love on---huge, huge blessing to all of you.p.s. i work for a photographer and LOVE photography and your photos are gorg!!!

Congratulations! What a beautiful story! I hope that others who are facing a similar situation find your story and seek comfort in it. The pictures are gorgeous! But the love shining in all of your faces is what takes them over the top.

I saw you mentioned over at Centsational Girl and stopped by to read. What a touching and moving story. I am so happy for your entire family. What a lucky little boy and what a lucky family. What a blessing that God has brought you together.

I too am stopping over from Centsational Girl. After recently adopting a sibling group of 3 from foster care I can relate to the emotional roller coaster. Your post is beautiful and I am so glad that he is yours and that God put him in your family.

~Sarah

P.S. Your pictures are beautiful and so priceless for all that they mean...you are a family! Yay! :-)

Oh my! I like AmericanBridget (great name by the way ;o) have followed, but never commented. Today I was so moved I just HAD to comment. This made my Friday..tears of joy! God is good and what a blessing it is that your family came into this lil' guys life. You don't often hear these stories turn out so well. Beautiful family and amazing strength. Congrats, Mama!

I just peeked in on my little one while he was sleeping. Just over a year ago, the judge told us our foster son would be ours forever. The waiting is so hard, but God deepened our faith profoundly through those sleepless nights and moments of intense fear. I LOVE being a foster mommy and we are waiting on a phone call for our next one.

Hello- popped over from Centsational Girl and was so touched. When people talk about "doing God's work" it's often referring to fundraising or volunteering which is wonderful but has boundaries. Something like this that's so invested and present has a grace that we can all learn from. All the best to you and your beautiful family.

Oh what a gorgeous and lucky family! The pictures are just wonderful. We adopted our daughter when she was seven after she had been in seven foster homes. She is 32 now and the most amazing woman - the love of our lives.

Oh my goodness, congratulations! I've only been visiting your site every once in a while over the past few months, but these pictures and your words are just beautiful. Thank you for sharing your joy. It has made my evening.

Mia! This post just had me in tears! I have read all about the Nino (and his awesome bedroom *winks*) and I am so beyond happy for you and your sweet family. He is so lucky to have you as a mom. He fits in perfectly!

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I came across this post on Pinterest and I knew right away you were in AZ too. :) We too are waiting for our "forever" child to come into our life. We have been on the registry to adopt through foster care for almost 9 months.

We are doing straight adoption for now but struggle with the decision to foster. Our daughter is only 5 and reunification would be tough on her. Thank you for writing this as it gives me hope that even if it doesn't happen now, that perhaps when our little bug is older, it will....

CONGRATULATION to you all, you are one great family and you all look so beautiful :) I really love these photos and you´r cloths are so so so beautiful. And Adam is such a sweet looking boy and he´s a lucky one to have you as his family <3

I can relate to your story. We fostered our daughters for 3 1/2 yrs and finally adopted them June 5th. They are 4 and 6 now and they are our joy! By far the happiest day of our life and I never thought the crazy journey would end. I would do it all over if needed.Thanks for sharing your story!

Hello! I recently found your blog and was combing older posts. I love how bloggers share the most intimate details of their stories. What a beautiful family, as it takes a village! What a change you will make in his life, and he in yours.So many times I look for the thumbs up "like" button. Just like FB. Sharon@novaraway

Thank you so much for sharing! My husband and I are going through our own very long adoption journey right now. I was feeling discouraged today, and your post gave me a much needed boost. Congratulations!

Thank you for sharing this. I needed this encouragement tonight. Have been involved in contested hearings for our foster daughter for the last 2 years. We are the only family she's ever known. Have been waiting and waiting to receive the judge's decision, but then we don't know if the contesting party will appeal and continue to drag this out. I can totally relate to it being hard. The hardest thing I've ever done. Glad to hear there is an ending. Waiting to see whether our ending will be this year or dragged on for a few more. Regardless, I wouldn't change a thing. She's been a God send to our family. Now we are in the process of adopting another foster child whose process could be finalized before hers...but only God knows. Blessings to you and your family. Thank you for sharing your story.